Circuit controlling device for flashlights



Oct. 10, 1944. B. H. NENSEL CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR FLASHLIGHTS Filed 001: 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ear H1.

- INVENTOR. B'ERTHQLD HNENSEL.

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ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 10, 1944 CIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR FLASHLIGHTS Berthold H. Nensel, Tenafly, N. J.

Application October 7, 1942, Serial No. 461,216

Claims.

The invention relates to a circuit controllin device constructed to be insertable in the conventional types of flashlights, and acting to open circuit to the lamp whenever the flashlight is held in a position which would direct the light rays upwardly. In its preferred form the device also includes features enabling the amount of emitted light to be dimmed by simpl manipulation readily performed by the user or alternatively the device may be readily constructed to dim the light or afford full illumination when the flashlight is held in different positions, instead of completely opening and closing the circuit. Thus in a broad sense the device may act as a circuit changer which either completely opens or closes circuit, or affords selectively full or dimmed illumination, or performs both functions conjointly.

The invention aims to provide a device of the above character which may be readily accommodated in usual types of flashlights without substantial modification of the construction thereof, and which will be simple and economical to manufacture, readily installed and operated by inexperienced users, and reliable in operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part specifically referred to in the description hereinafter contained which, taken together with the accompanying drawings, discloses certain cut-out devices constructed to operate in accordance with the invention. The disclosure however should be considered merely as illustrative from the standpoint of the invention in its broader aspects. In the drawings-- Fig. 1 is a side view of a preferred form of cutout device partly in section showing the cut-out device in one operative position which it may assume within a flashlight.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the cut-out device shown detached and somewhat enlarged as compared to Fig. 1, the parts appearing in position to close circuit to the lamp, but with the current cut down to produce a dimming effect.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing detached a form of tiltable disc which may be used as one constituent part of the device.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section showing two devices constructed in general in accordance with the invention, but of somewhat modified form, and assembled in operative position to control circuit in a flashlight of known angle type.

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a central section and a plan view showing detached, one of such devices used in Fig. 4.

Figs. '7 and 8 are respectively similar views of the other such device shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views showing bright and dim positions of the flashlight as shown in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 11 is a similar View illustrating on and off positions of such flashlight.

The invention is disclosed as applied to a flash lamp having an outer casing l enclosed at one end by a removable threaded cap 2 which bears a spring 3 which yieldingly holds the dry battery cells 4 in operative position, the cells being surrounded by insulation 4b. A lamp bulb, reflector, etc. (not shown) may be understood as provided at the opposite end of the flashlight casing, and all of the parts above described may be understood as of any usual or appropriate construction for flashlights, and accordingly need not be described in detail. The flashlight may have a circuit closer 5 which is manually operated in the usual way to turn the light on and off.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide what may be called a plate-like circuit controlling member which may be conveniently located within the interior of the flashlight and is loosely and tiltably mounted so that it may shift automatically by gravity between different circuit controlling positions, according to the position in which the flashlight and parts making up the cut-out device, are held by the operator.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3 this plate-like member is indicated in general by numeral 6, and is loosely and tiltably received within a cup-like conducting member I, in such manner that one portion or another of the rim of plate 6 is urged by gravity against one portion or another of the annular conducting wall Ta 01": member I, at all times when plate 6 is inclined to the horizontal. As shown in Fig. 1 the cup I rests against the center pole 4a of one of the batteries 4, and the plate 6 is thus maintained at all times in circuit with the above pole Ba.

In the specific form of the invention under discussion an insulating disc 8 insulates the conducting member 1 from the opposite pole of the battery 4 which is at the left of Fig. 1, but the second conducting member 9, which may take the simple form of a rivet, is mounted on disc 8 in position to contact with the base of the battery 4 which is at the left of Fig. 1.

Thus when the above described parts assume a position in which plate member 6 will tip to engage conducting member 9, circuit will be closed between the two cells 4. As shown in Fig. 1 the parts may be so arranged that whenever the flashlight is inclined to direct the light rays below the horizontal, the cut-out will be in circuit closing position, circuit being opened automatically whenever the flashlight is tilted upwardly.

I prefer also to construct the device so that it may be readily adjusted by rotar movement of the flashlight about its longitudinal central axis, to vary the intensity of the illumination, thus aifording a dim-out effect when desired. As shown in Fig. 2, plate member 6 is made up of two conducting plates 6a and 6b, between which there is interposed a resistance unit 60 (shown in pancake form) which is connected between the conducting plates to and b, suitable insulation being of course provided around the resistance unit. The above parts may be held together by a rivet 6e which as shown is in contact with the conducting plate 6a, but insulated from the conducting plate 612 by an insulating washer 601. As shown in Fig. 3, the conducting plate 6a is exposed on the rim of the plate-like member 6 for a short arc of its periphery, and the conducting plate 617 is exposed on the rim of plate 6 throughout the remainder of its periphery. When the flashlight is rotated about its central longitudinal axis to an angular position where the plate 6a is in contact with the cup member I above referred to, the current passes direct from member 1 to member 6a and conducting member 9 without including the resistance 60 in circuit, but in all other angular positions wherein the plate 612 is in contact with the annular wall Id of member 7, plate 6a being under these conditions out of contact with member '1, the current passes from member I to plate 622 and then through resistance 60 to plate 6a and conducting member 9, thus including the resistance unit in the circuit and dimming the lamp of the flashlight. To include and exclude this dimming efiect the user need merely rotate the flashlight in his hand.

Figs. 4 to 8 illustrate devices constructed in accordance with the invention in its broader aspects, but of specifically diiTerent forms, and applied to a flashlight of the angle type so as to control respectively the brillianc of the light, and make and break the circuit according to different positions in which the flashlight is held by the user. The flashlight proper may be of known construction, having a cylindrical casing it] provided at one end with screw-threaded cap I! carrying a spring I la similar to the spring 3 which presses the conventional battery dry cell units 4 so that the central contact 4a of one of such units is held up against a metallic stud I2, which latter holds a contact finger l3 in position. Flashlights of the above type are also provided with a second contact finger l4 held in position by a stud 15 to engage with the central contact I6 of a lamp ll. Usually the parts [4 and I5 above described are supported by a screw-threaded insert l8 which fits detachably in theassembly, but since flashlights of the above angle type are well known in the art their construction need not be further described in detail.

In accordance with the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4, a circuit controllin device indicated generally in Fig. 4 by numeral I9 is used to open and close circuit to the lamp according to the position in which the flashlight is held. If the flashlight is tilted to project the light upwardly, circuit is automatically opened, and circuit is automatically closed when the flashlight is tilted to project the light downwardly. The form of circuit controlling device under discussion is constructed to be insertable between the resilient contact finger l3 and stud l5 above described, such device having a metallic cup-like member 20 (against which the finger l3 presses) and an insulating disc 2| having a central opening 22 through which the stud l5 may project. A plate member 23 shown in the form of a simple metallic disc is enclosed within the cup 20, and thus in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 11 this plate member 23 breaks circuit to the central contact I6 of the lamp and there is no light. In the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 however a member 23 tilts to a position where it makes circuit between the cup member 20 and the stud l5, thus closing circuit to the lamp, roviding the ordinary circuit closer of the flashlight (not shown) is in closed position.

If desired a second circuit controlling device of somewhat modified construction may be provided in the general assembly of Fig. 4 to control the brilliancy of illumination of the flashlight according to the position in which it is held by the user. This second device is indicated in Fig. 4 by numeral 24 as interposed between the battery cells 4, and as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 it may consist of a conducting cup-like member 25 containing a tiltable plate 26 in the form of a plain metal disc. An insulating washer 21 has embodied therein a resistance element 28 which is connected at one end with a central stud 29 and at the other end with a metallic tab 30 connectin by contact with cup 25.

When the flashlight is held in a position as shown in Fig. 9, so that the plate 26 of th device indicated by numeral 24 in Fig. 4, is out of contact with the central stud 29, also a part of the device 24, circuit between the battery cells 4 is made through cup 25, tab 30, resistance element 28 and central stud 29, producing a dimmed light, provided the circuit controlling device l9 previously described, is in position to close circuit to the light, i. e., if the circuit controlling device l9 be also used in the flashlight. It is of course necessary that the light be tilted to an angle which will close circuit through this device 19, before any light at all can be obtained. Fig. 9 thus specifically indicates a position in which the light rays are being directed downwardly so as to close circuit through device l9, at the same time the open by-pass circuit produced, by plate 26 of the device indicated by numeral 24, being out of contact with the central stud 29; leaves the resistance circuit previously described between the battery cells 4, through cup 25, tab 30, resistance element 28 and central stud 29 whereby a dim light will be obtained.

Fig. 10 indicates the alternative position in which the flashlight may be held so that circuit controlling device it will still close the light circuit but device 24 will be altered in its position by the rotating of the flashlight for about on an axis at right angles to the central longitudinal axis of casing l0, so that plate 26 does make contact with central stud 29 as shown in Fig. 7. In this position the resistance 28 is lay-passed, by plate 26, and thus full illumination is obtained. If the position of the circuit controlling device 24 is reversed with respect to the battery cells 4, as shown in Fig. 11, so that the cup 25 is at the right instead of at the left, as the parts appear in Fig, 4, the positions in which the light will be respectively bright and dim, will be likewise reversed.

While the invention has been disclosed as carried out by cut-out devices of the above described specific constructions, it should be understood that changes may be made therein without departing from the invention within its broader aspects within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A flashlight circuit controlling device of the character described including a circuit changing plate loosely and tiltably positioned within an annular member, said device including a conducting member against which a portion of the rim of said plate is urged by gravity when said plate is positioned at an angle to the horizontal, said device also including a second conducting member so positioned that said plate may tilt by gravity in and out of contact therewith in different angular positions of said plate,,while a portion of its rim is held by gravity in contact with said first conducting member as above mentioned, whereby said plate member automatically changes circuit between said conducting members by the action of gravity, in different inclined positions of the plate.

2. A flashlight circuit controlling device of the character described including a circuit changing plate member, and a conducting member of one polarity against which a portion of the rim of said plate is urged by gravity in all positions when said plate is at an angle to the horizontal,

- said plate loosely and tiltably engaging said conducting member, a second conducting member so positioned that said plate may rock by gravity into and out of contact therewith in different angular positions of said plate while maintaining contact of a portion of its rim with said first mentioned conducting member as aforesaid, thereby to change circuit between said conducting members automatically by gravity in different inclined positions of said plate, means being also provided for automatically altering the path of electrical connection between said conducting members when said device is rotated to different angular positions.

3. A flashlight circuit controlling device of the character described including a circuit changing plate, a conducting cup-like member within which said plate is loosely and tiltably received,

the rim of said plate being urged by gravity to make electrical contact with difierent portions of said member in different inclined positions of said member and plate, and an insulating member constructed to overlie the mouth of the said cup-like member, said insulating member being constructed to receive a second conducting member therein so positioned that said plate will tilt automatically into and out of contact with said second conducting member in different inclined positions of the above mentioned parts, while contact is maintained between the rim of said plate and said cup-like member.

4. A flashlight circuit controlling device of the character described including a circuit changing plate and a conducting member which is loosely and tiltably engaged by the rim of said plate, said device having a second conducting member so positioned that the plate will rock into and out of engagement therewith by gravity in different inclined positions of the plate while maintaining contact by gravity with said first mentioned conducting member, said plate member having spaced conducting portions thereof which are selectively engageable with one of said conducting members when said device is rotated to different angular positions, thereby to close circuit between said conducting members selectively through said conducting portions according to the angular position of said device.

5. A flashlight circuit controlling device of the character described including a conducting member of shallow cup-like form, a circuit changing plate loosely and tiltably received within said member, said plate having an edge portion constructed and arranged to be held by gravity in electrical contact with said conducting member when said plate is inclined to the horizontal, an insulating disc constructed to overlie the mouth of said cup-like member and constructed to receive a second conducting member therein in position to be engaged by said plate member when tilted toward said insulating disc, thereby to change circuit automatically by gravity between said conducting members according to the position of said plate with respect to the horizontal.

BERTI-IOLD H. NENS-EL. 

